Griffith Park Mountain Lion Camera Ready Once Again

The Griffith Park mountain lion known as P-22, who once graced the cover of National Geographic, was recaptured last month and researchers determined he had recovered from a bout with mange, National Park Service officials said today.

The lion’s recapture was the first chance researchers have had to examine P-22 since April 2014, when he was noticeably thinner and suffering from mange, according to park officials.

“He’s gained some weight, his tail has filled out and he no longer has skin lesions and scabs across his body and face,” according to Jeff Sikich, a Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area biologist. “It’s highly likely that he continues to be exposed to rat poison, but for now he seems to be managing.”

P-22 is about 6 years old and weighs 123 pounds, about 15 pounds more than in 2014.

The lion was originally captured in March 2012 and fitted with a GPS collar. Genetic testing determined he was likely born in the Santa Monica Mountains, and somehow managed to cross both the San Diego (405) and Ventura (101) freeways to reach Griffith Park.

Park officials said they believe P-22 developed mange through exposure to rat poisons.

City News Service